Bennett Environmental Update.

Business Editors

OAKVILLE, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 25, 2004

Bennett Environmental Inc. (AMEX:BEL) (TSX:BEV), is a North American leader in the high temperature treatment of contaminated soils. This update is being released in order to inform shareholders of recent progress made by Bennett on a several fronts including the restarting of the Saint Ambroise soil treatment facility, recent comments from Environment Canada and the status of construction at our new facility in Belledune, New Brunswick.

Restarting of Soil Treatment Facility

On the March 29, 2004, the Company announced that operations at the Saint Ambroise Quebec soil treatment facility would cease for an unscheduled shutdown due to delays in soil shipments from customers. As of last week, soil shipments have been arriving at the Company's facility in sufficient quantities to resume soil treatment processing as of Friday May 28, 2004. Over this shutdown period, the Company was able to complete much of the two weeks of scheduled maintenance planned later this summer. As a result of the unplanned shutdown for the last two months the Company expects to show a small loss in earnings this quarter. The Company feels confident of achieving the analysts' consensus this year of between $70 million to $85 million Can. in sales revenue and earnings per share of between $0.70 - $0.85 Can.

Comments from Environment Canada

On May 21, 2004, a long-awaited report from the federal Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) was released which confirms that there is no reason to conclude that the Belledune, New Brunswick facility is likely to cause significant adverse transboundary environmental effects. The federal government findings support those of the province and other related independent studies. This review, requested by the federal Environment Minister, Hon. David Anderson, took eight months to complete by a study team comprised of experts from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, Health Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. However, in a statement made later on May 21st, Environment Minister Anderson made reference to establishing a review panel to again assess transboundary environmental effects of the Belledune facility. Apparently Mr. Anderson indicated that further study may be needed because Health Canada believes the data is too limited to state with absolute confidence that there are no human health concerns. Although these statements by the Environment Minister are confusing and troubling to the Company, specifically when we were told by Health Canada on several occasions that they did not require any additional information, we are endeavouring to determine what information Health Canada is lacking.

Belledune New Brunswick Construction Update

Construction at the facility is approximately 85% complete with the commissioning process to commence in mid-July. Staffing of key plant personnel has begun and over the July to October time-period, limited production test runs will occur. In October, following the anticipated receipt of an operating permit from the Province of New Brunswick, full production is expected to commence.

About Bennett Environmental Inc.

Bennett Environmental Inc. is a North American leader in high temperature treatment services for the remediation of contaminated soil and has provided thermal solutions to contamination problems throughout Canada and the US. Bennett Environmental's proprietary technology provides for the safe, economical and permanent solution to contaminated soil. Independent testing has consistently proven that the technology operates well within the most stringent criteria in North America.

Bennett Environmental is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (Trading Symbol "BEV") and the American Stock Exchange (Trading Symbol "BEL").

Note for Investors:

This news release includes statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbour for forward-looking statements provisions contained in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of various factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Discussions of the various factors that may affect future results are contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Ontario Securities Commission.